Green Anaconda - Suriname

The Treaty of Breda ended the Second Anglo-Dutch war. Under the terms of the treaty, the Netherlands recognized British control of the New Amsterdam area, a region currently consisting parts of Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, and New York. The Dutch were awarded the rights to settle in Dutch Guinea; Suriname.

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Eunectes murinus - The green anaconda is the world’s largest snake. Individuals measuring 10 to 12 meters and weighing up to 250 kilos have been recorded. Anacondas prefer shallow and slow moving waters where most of their feeding takes place. The anaconda may either remain motionless in the vegetation or lurk partially submerged in the water until an unsuspecting animal comes along. The anaconda will grab and hold the victim with its sharp teeth until it can wrap itself around the body and render it unconscious by constriction.

Scarlet Macaw - Suriname

Ara macao - There are 17 species of macaws. The scarlet macaw, measuring 85 centimeters, is the largest. The males have slightly longer tails and their beaks are more robust. Macaws pair for life and will flock together with others during the night. Their diet consists of nuts and fruit. The powerful beak of the macaw allows them to break open the hardest nuts. Occasionally they will consume clay from river banks or cliffs to help with digestion and possibly to supplement their calcium needs.

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Suriname is the smallest country in South America and the only independent entity in the Americas with Dutch as its official language. Suriname was originally inhabited by Taíno people. The British were the first Europeans to settle in Suriname; they established a settlement at Marshall’s Creek in 1630. The control of Suriname swayed back and forth between the Dutch and British with the Dutch eventually retaining control until independence was granted to Suriname in 1975.

Historical Flags of the Americas

Prior to independence, the Dutch colony of Suriname adopted its own flag in 1959. The five connected stars represented the five primary ethnic groups of Suriname. The flag was changed to the current design when independence was granted in 1975. As a British colony, Grenada had used the Union Jack in its flag design. The pattern changed when a new flag depicting a nutmeg was hoisted and used from 1967 until 1974. Jean-Jacques Dessalines declared himself Emperor Jacques I in 1804 and created the Empire of Haiti. His assassination in 1806 brought an end to the short-lived empire. Dom Pedro I founded the Empire of Brazil in 1822 and was succeeded by his son Dom Pedro II in 1831. Dom Pedro II reigned for 58 years. The flag featured 19 stars to represent the 19 Brazilian states. Another star was added in 1870. The flag and empire were replaced in 1889 by a republican form of government.